Bayraktar: We will strengthen energy supply security

Energy Diary - Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar shared Türkiye's energy vision at the Gastech 2025 Fair and Conference held in Milan, Italy. The event brought together leading global players in natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, and climate technologies.

Bayraktar stated in his speech that Türkiye has increased its regasification capacity fivefold in the last 7-8 years, emphasizing that this has enabled them to both ensure the country's energy supply security and offer more energy to European markets.

A threefold increase in electricity consumption is expected

Speaking at a panel titled "The New Energy Imperative: Security and Resilience in a Volatile Global Market," Bayraktar stated that Türkiye's electricity demand will triple in the next 30 years. He added that electricity consumption, currently at 350 terawatt-hours, is projected to rise to 1,000 terawatt-hours.

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND NUCLEAR INVESTMENTS

Bayraktar stated that they plan to quadruple renewable energy capacity by 2035 to meet growing demand, stating that this goal is ambitious but achievable. He also noted that nuclear investments are also on the agenda for energy security. He noted that in addition to the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, small modular reactors are also being studied.

GAS PRODUCTION AND NEW PROJECTS

Bayraktar emphasized that they are investing in every stage of the gas value chain to ensure Türkiye's energy security, explaining that they aim to increase production from the reserves discovered in the Black Sea. He also stated that they are exploring new projects in Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Africa, and the Middle East, and that international collaborations will contribute to Türkiye's transformation into an energy hub.

12 BILLION CUBIC METERS WILL BE STORED UNDERGROUND

Bayraktar stated that the plan is to store 12 billion cubic meters of gas underground, equivalent to 20 percent of Türkiye's annual natural gas needs, by 2030. He stated that this capacity will strengthen energy security.

ENERGY BRIDGE TO EUROPE

Minister Bayraktar emphasized that Türkiye is rapidly expanding its regasification capacity thanks to its LNG terminals. This capacity allows for more gas to be transported through Turkey to Bulgaria and Greece, and from there to European markets. Bayraktar said, "On the one hand, we are securing our energy supply, and on the other, we are bringing abundant gas to Europe."

INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION

In addition to Bayraktar, EU Commission Director General for Energy Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources Ekperikpe Ekpo and US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum also spoke at the panel.